Over 7,000 cases of chikungunya virus reported in China
Guangdong province has recorded the highest number of cases of the mosquito-borne virus, prompting authorities to implement emergency containment measures
Since July, China has reported over 7,000 cases of the chikungunya virus, with Foshan city emerging as the outbreak’s epicentre. Infections have also been reported in 12 other cities across southern Guangdong province.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. It causes symptoms such as high fever, rash, headache, and severe joint pain. While most people recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months, or even years, in some cases. The virus is rarely fatal, but infants, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to severe illness and complications.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an updated advisory for the Guangdong region, urging travellers to “practice enhanced precautions” due to the outbreak.
Measures to control infections
The Chinese government has implemented a series of measures to contain the outbreak, including quarantining infected individuals and urging those with symptoms to seek medical attention and undergo testing. Hospitalised patients are not permitted to leave until they test negative, and mosquito nets are being placed over their beds to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Residents have been instructed to eliminate sources of stagnant water – common mosquito breeding grounds – with authorities threatening fines for non-compliance. Drones are also being deployed to detect hidden pools of standing water and other mosquito hotspots.
In a bid to reduce mosquito populations, authorities have released so-called ‘elephant mosquitoes’, whose larvae prey on smaller mosquito species that carry the virus. Additionally, large numbers of fish that feed on mosquito larvae are being introduced into lakes and ponds, and insecticides are being sprayed across the region.
At the start of the year, a rise in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China sparked concerns over the potential for a Covid-19-style outbreak.